The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-02-10

When the good housekeeper came in
for few minutes, every evening. to
give her chance to get a little fresh
air. she took her work home, and
secured the neighborhood for place
where she could buy grapes and pears,
at something less than rulnous prices,
to tempt her husbands capricious appe-
tite.
And one evening, when she returned
with al especially fine bunch of Tokay
grapes, which she had bought at bar
gain, she found him tossing restlessly
to and fro on his pillow. with fresh
fever burning on his cheeks.
"A letter from Aunt Cabitha, Co.
quetter' he cried. ''She is coming to
make US a visit. Now, of all times in
the world, when the butcher and the
baker are taking turns in besieging US,
and everything is at the lowest ebb.'
"But why not now. Harry?'
''Don't you know? Aunt Tabby is
the one rich relative I've gotr' cried the
young man, impatiently. ''She always
declares she's going to leave her money
to me, because I'm the only member of
the family that knows how to make
money and save it. She's the most
mercenary old creature in the world,
and if she once sees what 4 pass we've
come to, she'll never have another word
to say to mer'
Coquette looked sorrowfully around
the studio Everything that could by
any possibility be sold 10 raise little
money had been sent away. The floor
/ was carpetless, the walls were bare.
: ut docs look rather poverty-stricken,"
| she reluctantly admitted. 'But-oh,
Harry, when is she coming?"
''On Thursday-only the day after to-
morrow"
Very well," said Coquette, with
long breath. "we'Il be ready for her"
But how can we. dearest?"
"YOu shall see," Coquette answered,
with an arch nod of her heal.
And then there ensued long coun-
ell, whispered and intent
Jones will help u.s." said Harry,
land DE Kaye, and Courtenay. And
Sprigglng is the best fellow in the
worldr'
"And Madam Plombreri and every
one OF the sewing-girls will lend hand,
1 am sure" said Coquette. "Oh, Harry,
! am so glad you are sufficiently recov-
cred for us to try this bold experiment.
All the next day a pleasant confusion
reigned in the studio.
Sprigging. marine painter of no
mean pretensions. luogcd in half
finished picture of Moonlight on the
Grand Canal at Venice" and establish
ed it on his friends easel; De KAYE
stood on step-ladders, at the risk of his
life, to hang number of his pretty lit
tie fruit and flower glimpses SO that the
tarra-cotta colored walls should be
hidden; and Launcelot Courtenav him
self aided in their arrangements; while
the hoqsekeeper. assisted by two able
bodied men, brought in the upright
piano which belonged to Courtenay's
room, together with pile of marble
pedestals, crowned by bronze statuettes
of Mercury and Psyche.
Madam de Plombreri hung the win
dows with Turcoman draperles and
contributed a rich Persian rug; Miss
Peck, the forewoman, sent up a china
cabinet, four gilt chairs and what
not; each Of the sewing-girls contribqt-
ed pretty little articles OF bric-a-brac.
And in the midst of this luxury Harry
Radcliffe lay on a sofa. with his wife
beside him, when Aunt Tibitha was
shown ina little, shrivelled. sharp
eyed woman. with shaggy gray eye
brOws, and a nose like the beak of
bird of prey.
"HegI humph! howr' was her greet
ing. ''upon my word, Nephew Henry.
! didn't suppose you lived in style like
this. Been pretty successful. eh? Sorry
to hear you've been sick. Done all
these pictures within the year? So this
is your wife. is it? How do you do. my
dear-how do you do?"
And she gave Coquette kiss that
tasted very strongly of pepperment
lozenges, and seated herself. while Co.
quette touched a hand-bell, and Madam
de Plombreri's youngest "hand." dress.
ed in Il frilled white cap, with pink
ribbons. and q rutiled white apron,
reaching down to the hem of her dress,
brought IN tea on silver-plated eay.
Have a cup of tea, dear aunt"
smiled Coquette. land Mary Ann will
take your hat and shawl"
How many girls do you keep" said
Aunt Tabby, who was perpetual series
of interrogations, but who, fortunately,
never stopped talking long enough for
her questions to be answered. .'Harry
must sell lots of pictures to keep up this
sort of thing-eh2 / always said that
Harry was the genius of the family,
And you've married well, Harry! Well,
am glad!'
The door opened here, and stout
elderly gentleman entered with a great
deal of hustle.
'Ive called to look at this marine
picture" said he. .Hope l don't in
trude." with comprehensive bow all
around to the ladies. "but am ex-ceed-
ing-ly anxious to secure this, for an out
of town customer of mine. who is col
lecting gallery. What do you ask
for it, Radcliffe? Come-put it at the
lowest cash price. I'll give thousand
for it, and won't give penny more"
YOU'RE too late" said Harry, with
chuckle. "Bonstettin has ordered it at
twelve hundred"
Twelve hundredr' exclaimed the
picture-dealer-"B -"Bonstettin! But he
shan't have it! Pll say fifteen hundred
sooner than thatr'
I'm sorry," observed Harry; "but it
was painted expressly to order for him"
Couldn't you duplicate it?"
IL never duplicate any of my pictures"
but something like it? Come-a
Venice view with lots of moonlight,
gondola, and big smudge of shadow
in the left-hand corner, with an assas-
sin lurking there-eh? Something with
a motive"
Lar exclaimed Aunt Tabby, under
her breath.
"rli think it over, and let you know"
said Radcliffe, languidly. AT present
I've got as much as can dc"
Which was unfortunately an indubit-
able fact, as our poor young hero was
not yet strong enough to handle mahl-
stick.
The dealer-no other than De Kaye
in asquerade-retreated grumbling.
Aunt Tabby's eyes scintillated joy
fully.
Harry" she cried. you're on the
high road to fortune! You certainly
are!''
II hope SO, aunt" said the young
man, wearily.
Two other customers, apparently all
eagerness. arrived during the course
of the evening One carried off the
picture of basket of luscious peaches
upturned in nest of hay; the other
,,1aIa a. conditioned horUain for a hunph